I read today that starting next week...March 31st...Off site guests will be able to make FP + reservation on the 30 day mark, and also purchase a Magic Band. Possible price is just under $13.00...Do you think that this benefit should be for on site guests only.?..One reader is all for it...Another was totally against it.?.What are your thoughts on this new policy.?
Well for me I don't think that is an easy for or against it. I do believe that if you decide to stay on property that you should be entitled to perks that off property people don't get. However as long as they give on property first crack at FP+ (60 days out) I don't see giving them 30 days out to select as an issue. As long as they take care of on property first am ok with it. And on property don't pay for their MagicBands so that in my eyes is another perk. Remember the cost of staying on property is a lot more than staying off so let's all the perks we can get from Disney. Because without doing that what would be the incentive to stay on property?
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I may change my mind after giving it some more thought but my first thoughts are it sounds pretty fair to me. It appears they will have to buy the Magic Band whereas resort guests get it free. And, if non resort guests only get to make FP+ selections 30 days and out but resort guests can do it at 60 days it seems to me that resort guests are still getting the nicer perks.
I believe it is completely fair to allow off site guests to use FP+ at 30 days out. They would have to pay for the band so they have the choice whether or not they want the FP+ experience. It can be very expensive to stay on site and people who stay on site get extra perks, as they should. However, many people would never be able to afford to stay onsite. If the only way some people can ever afford to have their magical Disney vacation is by staying off site, then they should get the option to have the FP+ experience too.
Everyone deserves a Disney vacation 
I may change my mind after giving it some more thought but my first thoughts are it sounds pretty fair to me. It appears they will have to buy the Magic Band whereas resort guests get it free. And, if non resort guests only get to make FP+ selections 30 days and out but resort guests can do it at 60 days it seems to me that resort guests are still getting the nicer perks.
They do not have to buy the bands...Their park ticket card can be linked...
scrappy wrote:I may change my mind after giving it some more thought but my first thoughts are it sounds pretty fair to me. It appears they will have to buy the Magic Band whereas resort guests get it free. And, if non resort guests only get to make FP+ selections 30 days and out but resort guests can do it at 60 days it seems to me that resort guests are still getting the nicer perks.
They do not have to buy the bands...Their park ticket card can be linked...
Maybe Mark can clarify, but from what I heard yesterday from Disney CM on line, they will have to purchase a band IF they don't have one from a previous trip.
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I read today that starting next week...March 31st...Off site guests will be able to make FP + reservation on the 30 day mark, and also purchase a Magic Band. Possible price is just under $13.00...Do you think that this benefit should be for on site guests only.?..One reader is all for it...Another was totally against it.?.What are your thoughts on this new policy.?
Just curious, where did you read this?
I think this is pretty fair. In the days of paper fastpasses, everyone could get them. Once in the park, all tickets were equal, whether you stayed on site or not. This gives on site people an advantage, but still allows those that stay outside the Disney bubble to plan their days and ride the headliners without waiting 2 hours in line. But if Disney wanted to add a few extra perks to on site tickets, like an extra fastpass, etc., I wouldn't say no. 
Diana
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King Fergus wrote:I read today that starting next week...March 31st...Off site guests will be able to make FP + reservation on the 30 day mark, and also purchase a Magic Band. Possible price is just under $13.00...Do you think that this benefit should be for on site guests only.?..One reader is all for it...Another was totally against it.?.What are your thoughts on this new policy.?
Just curious, where did you read this?
Easywdw.com
AnnielovesDisney wrote:King Fergus wrote:I read today that starting next week...March 31st...Off site guests will be able to make FP + reservation on the 30 day mark, and also purchase a Magic Band. Possible price is just under $13.00...Do you think that this benefit should be for on site guests only.?..One reader is all for it...Another was totally against it.?.What are your thoughts on this new policy.?
Just curious, where did you read this?
Easywdw.com
Thanks
I have no problem with this offsite visitors were able to use fp before it was part of buying the ticket, not really being an onsite guest. the perk for onsite is extra magic hours.
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--Walt Disney--
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I think this is pretty fair. In the days of paper fastpasses, everyone could get them. Once in the park, all tickets were equal, whether you stayed on site or not. This gives on site people an advantage, but still allows those that stay outside the Disney bubble to plan their days and ride the headliners without waiting 2 hours in line. But if Disney wanted to add a few extra perks to on site tickets, like an extra fastpass, etc., I wouldn't say no.
I couldn't agree more 
My little brother is staying offsite in May so is very happy about his, however one problem I can see is that if offsite guests can book fast passes in advance a lot of FP+ will get booked and not used???why? Well when coming from the uk our 14 day ticket is the same price as a two day ticket in America.
So my little brother who is staying has a 14 day ticket but is only staying 12 days also they are planning in visiting sea world, us, IOA, discovery cove, malls ect. So only a few days of their stay will be spent at wdw. Because they are visiting with small children they will choose parks that morning or the night before, but there is nothing to stop them booking up fast pass plus for all 14 days of their ticket. Their are 8 of them in their party and so could be wasting 24 fast pass a day.
Before with the paper pass they had to be at least in the park before they could grab a FP and I believe on site guests are more likely to be pre planning to be in the parks. If you think of all the 1000s of offsite guests and annul pass holders who might drop there plans due to weather ect my opinion is stuff is going to get booked and unused.
Just my view
My little brother is staying offsite in May so is very happy about his, however one problem I can see is that if offsite guests can book fast passes in advance a lot of FP+ will get booked and not used???why? Well when coming from the uk our 14 day ticket is the same price as a two day ticket in America.
So my little brother who is staying has a 14 day ticket but is only staying 12 days also they are planning in visiting sea world, us, IOA, discovery cove, malls ect. So only a few days of their stay will be spent at wdw. Because they are visiting with small children they will choose parks that morning or the night before, but there is nothing to stop them booking up fast pass plus for all 14 days of their ticket. Their are 8 of them in their party and so could be wasting 24 fast pass a day.
Before with the paper pass they had to be at least in the park before they could grab a FP and I believe on site guests are more likely to be pre planning to be in the parks. If you think of all the 1000s of offsite guests and annul pass holders who might drop there plans due to weather ect my opinion is stuff is going to get booked and unused.
Just my view
i agree a lot of stuff will be unused.When we visit next year we are staying at PORS for 14 nights.At least 3 days will be spent at IOA/UNI/SW plus at least on day at the Mall/shopping.We will however book all our FP's for the entire stay because the days we leave the bubble are not set in stone.Not sure what Disney can do to get around this though.
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Oh I said this all along Phil. I've been able to book fastpasses from the 60 day mark ever since we got our first magic bands. Even longer really because I could have booked fastpasses everyday from the end of our trip in January until the end of our May trip. I could see a lot of people just "playing" with the fastpass system and then not canceling them. That would be a lot of wasted FP's.
Glad I'm not the only person who thinks this way, I hate to be negative.
In my opinion the best why for disney to tackle misuse would be to block people out of the system if they don't take their bookings so if all three FP+ are not used or cancelled on a day then you are blocked out for 3 days after the 3 day block from the system if you waste 3 more FP+ you are blocked for 5 days, this increase until you are blocked all together. I know it seems harsh but imagine how booked up stuff will get during tour group season. Also now it's illegal to take your kids out of school in the uk, the summer is about to get even busier... Prepare for the new British tour groups!!
Glad I'm not the only person who thinks this way, I hate to be negative.
In my opinion the best why for disney to tackle misuse would be to block people out of the system if they don't take their bookings so if all three FP+ are not used or cancelled on a day then you are blocked out for 3 days after the 3 day block from the system if you waste 3 more FP+ you are blocked for 5 days, this increase until you are blocked all together. I know it seems harsh but imagine how booked up stuff will get during tour group season. Also now it's illegal to take your kids out of school in the uk, the summer is about to get even busier... Prepare for the new British tour groups!!
Problem with this is it discriminates against those of us who don't want to micro-manage our vacation.Either we have everything set in stone before we go (this opark today,that park tomorrow) or we lose out on the on-site benefit of being able to book 60 days in advance.Plus what happens if illness stops someone from using their FP+'s that day.They are then penalised unfairly ... In fairness though it is no worse than when people used to hoard the paper FP's prior to this system.
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I agree that I believe the system has flaws. However, since you do have to pick 3 per day even if you only want 1 or 2 it would not be fair to be blocked from the system for only using what you really wanted. I see a lot of problems with blocking people. Sickness, weather and so many other reasons someone may skip using a FP.
Like any system in existence, abuse is going to happen. It is usually a small percentage of the total, but it creates a lot of the conversation. It seems to me that Disney's goal is to maximize advanced planning in order to (I assume) better handle staffing issues. In the long run, it should create a better experience. Their 'testing phase' should bring some of these controllable issues to light and allow them to adjust once real-world data starts to roll in.
As to the fairness of advanced FP+ for non-resort guests, this restores the equilibrium of FastPasses that was knocked off kilter when they began the MagicBand roll out. Someone before already pointed out that, historically, EMH was the perk for staying on-site. In addition, resort guests now get a 30-day jump on FP+ registration over other guests.
In the long run, advanced-planners are going to reap more benefits of the new changes, while spontaneous people will either have a diminished experience or, as Mrferret points out, find a way to game the system.
Glad I'm not the only person who thinks this way, I hate to be negative.
In my opinion the best why for disney to tackle misuse would be to block people out of the system if they don't take their bookings so if all three FP+ are not used or cancelled on a day then you are blocked out for 3 days after the 3 day block from the system if you waste 3 more FP+ you are blocked for 5 days, this increase until you are blocked all together. I know it seems harsh but imagine how booked up stuff will get during tour group season. Also now it's illegal to take your kids out of school in the uk, the summer is about to get even busier... Prepare for the new British tour groups!!
I've got news for you..Not in Scotland..Well not yet...My neighbours have just returned from Centre Parks after taking their 3 children out of school..Another friend is off to WDW one week before the school holidays start in October with their 2 kids..Only in England can the parents be charged..Personally I hope it comes to Scotland as we have never taken our son out of school before the holiday period..
Philhowelldesign wrote:Glad I'm not the only person who thinks this way, I hate to be negative.
In my opinion the best why for disney to tackle misuse would be to block people out of the system if they don't take their bookings so if all three FP+ are not used or cancelled on a day then you are blocked out for 3 days after the 3 day block from the system if you waste 3 more FP+ you are blocked for 5 days, this increase until you are blocked all together. I know it seems harsh but imagine how booked up stuff will get during tour group season. Also now it's illegal to take your kids out of school in the uk, the summer is about to get even busier... Prepare for the new British tour groups!!
I've got news for you..Not in Scotland..Well not yet...My neighbours have just returned from Centre Parks after taking their 3 children out of school..Another friend is off to WDW one week before the school holidays start in October with their 2 kids..Only in England can the parents be charged..Personally I hope it comes to Scotland as we have never taken our son out of school before the holiday period..
And i didn't think Scotlandshire made their own laws (yet) 
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King Fergus wrote:Philhowelldesign wrote:Glad I'm not the only person who thinks this way, I hate to be negative.
In my opinion the best why for disney to tackle misuse would be to block people out of the system if they don't take their bookings so if all three FP+ are not used or cancelled on a day then you are blocked out for 3 days after the 3 day block from the system if you waste 3 more FP+ you are blocked for 5 days, this increase until you are blocked all together. I know it seems harsh but imagine how booked up stuff will get during tour group season. Also now it's illegal to take your kids out of school in the uk, the summer is about to get even busier... Prepare for the new British tour groups!!
I've got news for you..Not in Scotland..Well not yet...My neighbours have just returned from Centre Parks after taking their 3 children out of school..Another friend is off to WDW one week before the school holidays start in October with their 2 kids..Only in England can the parents be charged..Personally I hope it comes to Scotland as we have never taken our son out of school before the holiday period..
And i didn't think Scotlandshire made their own laws (yet)
Oh aye sir...It's illegal for a English person to shoot a haggis...If caught, they could serve 10 years in shackles.. 
Someone booking and not using all of their FP's blocks other FP users from booking those time slots, but it should in most cases allow people to move through the standby line more quickly. The unused FP spots won't go vacant on the rides (except for Pirates where there is a dedicated FP boat--I don't THINK any other rides are doing that at the moment and that problem could be solved by diverting some standby guests into the FP line so that the boats are never launching empty). Also, Disney will most likely quickly calculate the percentage of FP that are actually used for each ride and "overbook" FP for that ride accordingly. This is not a new problem. Surely there were many FP's that didn't get used during FP-. Some people would give them to other guests, but I'm sure others either forgot about their return times or couldn't make it back.
To the original question that was posed, as long as we know the rules, I don't really care what the system is. I'll adapt my touring to make the best use of the system that is available. I can't control whether or not FP+ remains free or what accommodations get what preferential booking window. All I can do as a consumer is to evaluate the choices available and their costs and make the best decision for my family based on the framework provided.
As for offsite guests getting to pre-book, I think it's a good idea. It will cut down on the FP kiosk lines at the parks and then guests who are having trouble with the FP+ system will be able to get assistance more quickly. As an onsite guest, I still have 30 days of priority before offsite guests are allowed to book, so if I want to exercise that privilege, it is my responsibility to make sure that I have my plans in order during that window. If I don't want to take advantage of my preferential booking, that's my choice. We've taken several trips where we've not used FP. Using this system is not mandatory. It's a perk.
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Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
This was the overall plan for fp+. Disney has been planning for everyone to be able to pre-select their fastpasses but it came out it in stages. Eventually, everyone will be able to use the my Disney Experience app to make, change or cancel the fastpasses. The system is still being fixed so it everyone has the same chance. The frontline cms are bringing up all the issues that are encountered so the right team can fix whatever problem there might be.
I have used fast pass plus. I did not enjoy it as much as paper fast passes. I will really miss the old fast pass. So far I can't say that it has improved my experience and in many ways I feel it has had a Negative impact. I love my disney time so I will keep going. I'm just disappointed in the program at this time. I'm hoping fast passes in different parks will be possible soon but who knows.
